Zagin Suminoe

At Zagin Suminoe, chicken takes centre stage, but you can choose the flavour direction of your bowl: savour the depth of the chicken or opt for the clean edge of soy sauce. The chicken soba with salt is described as having a chicken-rich broth finished with dried-fish broth and chicken fat just before serving, giving it a creamy, potage-like texture. Some diners say they return to this salted bowl, and reviews mention both the broth’s richness and its surprisingly light feel. For soy sauce, the local chicken soy sauce soba is made with broth containing Shiretoko chicken 100%. It highlights the soy sauce’s savoury depth and clean finish, while bringing the chicken to the fore. Diners who tried the miso version have also remarked on its pronounced flavour.

For an even more concentrated chicken flavour, try the chicken dipping soba, whose thick dipping sauce is made with chicken alone, without seafood. One diner who ordered it found that the broth went well not only with the noodles but also with rice, making the meal easy to enjoy. Those after some heat can choose spicy chicken soba, which keeps the savoury character of the chicken soba while turning up the spice; the menu warns that it is extremely hot. The menu also lists chicken paitan mixed soba and a limited-quantity ‘Limit Concentration Chicken Soba’, offered on Tuesdays in batches of 10 at lunch and dinner. There is plenty to consider when deciding which style of bowl to try.

Fried burdock has drawn praise for its crisp texture, though some diners have found the portion generous. How it works as a topping may depend on personal preference and when you eat it alongside the noodles. One visitor also reported that the bowl came with different kinds of chashu. For another dish on the side, options include meat sushi, a chicken yukhoe rice bowl and rice with raw egg. Some diners have visited specifically for the meat sushi, while others have ordered it with ramen, offering another way to round out the meal.

For a meal with young children, the children’s set includes children’s ramen, 100ml of vegetable juice and a choice of toy. Baby chairs are also available, making it an option to consider for a family meal.